Gigaba was tabling his department's budget in the National Assembly on Wednesday where opposition members of Parliament raised the issue.

Economic Freedom Fighters MP Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi accused Gigaba of lying to Parliament when granting the Guptas South African citizenship. She said the Department of Home Affairs, under Gigaba, has borne the brunt of state capture.

“The honourable member confuses the two brothers who got their citizenship in 2002 and 2003 with Mr Ajay who is not a South African citizen. But the truth does not matter because it doesn’t make you trend on social media.”

At the same time, Ajay Gupta dismissed allegations against himself in an interview in India. Gupta has also denied being a fugitive. The Gupta brother reportedly said he was not aware of any investigation against him in India.